How to distinguish Korean male names from female names?

It's tricky to definitively distinguish Korean male names from female names just by looking at them, as there's significant overlap. However, here are some general observations and patterns that can be helpful:

Common Male Name Endings:

* -호 (-ho): Very common for male names, like 태호 (Taeho), 민호 (Minho), 성호 (Seongho).

* -준 (-jun): Another popular ending for male names, such as 태준 (Taejun), 민준 (Minjun), 현준 (Hyunjun).

* -우 (-woo): Often found in male names, for example, 지우 (Jiwoo), 현우 (Hyunwoo), 민우 (Minwoo).

* -수 (-soo): Can be either male or female, but more common in male names like 지수 (Jisoo), 현수 (Hyunsoo), 민수 (Minsoo).

Common Female Name Endings:

* -희 (-hee): Very common for female names, like 수희 (Soohee), 지희 (Jihee), 혜희 (Hyehee).

* -영 (-young): More likely to be female, but also found in male names, like 채영 (Chaeyoung), 지영 (Jiyoung), 수영 (Sooyoung).

* -은 (-eun): Very common in both male and female names, but tends to be more frequent in female names like 수은 (Sueun), 지은 (Jieun), 혜은 (Hyeun).

* -아 (-a): Can be either male or female, but more common in female names like 소아 (Soa), 지아 (Jia), 수아 (Sua).

Important Considerations:

* Context: Knowing the context, like the age or occupation of the person, can provide clues.

* Pronunciation: Some names sound more masculine or feminine depending on the pronunciation.

* Popularity: Certain names are significantly more popular for one gender than the other, even with similar endings.

* Individuality: There are exceptions and variations, and ultimately, it's always best to be respectful and ask for confirmation if unsure.

The best approach is to be mindful of the potential ambiguity and avoid making assumptions based solely on name endings. It's always better to be respectful and ask for clarification if unsure.